PFAW: Supreme Court Should Not Let Religion Be Used as a Sword Against Health Care Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments tomorrow in Trump v. Pennsylvania consolidated with *Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul v. Pennsylvania, which could allow employers with religious objections to effectively nullify the Affordable Care Act’s birth control coverage requirement for hundreds of thousands of workers, People For the American Way Executive Vice President for Policy and Program Marge Baker released the following statement:

“The upcoming Supreme Court arguments on birth control are part of the Trump administration’s continued attacks on reproductive health care, as well as a blatant attempt to misuse the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to discriminate. Having the freedom to practice one’s faith should not be at the expense of the health of others. The Supreme Court’s ruling will impact hundreds of thousands of Americans who already face barriers to critical health care options, like low-wage workers, communities of color, undocumented immigrants, and LGBTQ people. Religious freedom is a deeply valued constitutional right, but neither the Supreme Court nor the Trump administration should be allowed to contort this principle in order to transform RFRA from a shield to protect religious exercise into a sword to harm the rights of those who need healthcare. That’s true at all times but never more so than in the middle of a pandemic.”

*People For the American Way Foundation co-authored a brief in the case that can be found here.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org